Five time winner Venus was pushed to the limit by her 40-year-old opponent during an epic encounter which lasted just shy of three hours, with Venus coming through 6-7 (6-8) 6-3 8-6.

Date-Krumm stunned the 31-year-old American in the first set after racing to a 5-1 lead. The Centre Court crowd were then treated to some stunning tennis from both players as Venus battled back to force a tie-break but Date-Krumm managed to keep up the pressure and took the tie-break by 8 points to 6.

In the second the level of play dropped slightly from the Japanese player and Venus was able to call upon all her experience in pushing forward to take the set 6-3.

The quality of tennis stepped up again at 1-1 in the third set. Date-Krumm turned back the years and produced her best tennis since coming out of her 12-year retirement back in 2008, going toe-to-toe with Venus from the back of the court.

Both players made regular forays into the net and showed fine finesse on the volley. Neither player could break through until eventually; serving at 6-7 down, Date-Krumm played a couple of loose shots and gifted Williams 2 match points. One was all the American needed to advance to the third round after a Date-Krumm backhand uncharacteristically drifted wide.

After their two-hour 55 minute match both players were given a standing ovation as they left a packed Centre Court.

"It was tough. She came out and I couldn't seem to get a game" said Venus to BBC Sport after the match. "She just played so well - every ball hit the baseline. I have to give her enormous credit. Right until the end she was attacking, and my serving got me through."